







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Maybe I know your friend. | |
| Why do you think it's weird? | |
| Sorry, look, here is the station. | |
| In these cases, Pogo stays home alone with no food and no attention. | |
| How much do you pay for your room? | |
| That's okay, I don't mind. | |
| I think one room is empty upstairs at the moment. | |
| Then I want to roast it, though. | |
| Is it possible not to be able to find return tickets? | |
| There are plenty more, but I think gumtree.com is the best. | |
| Shall we meet at the train station, or do you want me to pick you up from your house? | |
| I'm sorry but I have bad news about the room... | |
| You look much younger than that. | |
| Is it possible to move in tomorrow? | |
| Because I don't want to waste more time finding a new house... | |
| Yes, she is coming back, but isn't it what I always do? | |
| But everybody calls him Rocco. | |
| Are there any fries or any kind of snacks? | |
| It's usually at the top right of your screen. | |
| There is a little market near the school. | |